Disclaimer: I own nothin'

Pairings/Warnings: RinHaru, some other's implied, m/m sex, smut, humour, some sap, light angst

A/N: This is a little RinHaru fic I wrote while on vacation. Continuing on my "moving stuff from AO3 onto here" mission.

Seven Dates with Haruka Nanase that Go Wrong and the One that Goes Right

Chapter One

How to Date Haru

Rin knew he'd always been a little bit in love with Haruka Nanase. Maybe when he was younger it could be called puppy love or a crush or an infatuation - but whatever he'd always had some feelings for Haru.

It took a long time for him to admit that - and even longer for anything to happen between them. There was the gulf of an ocean between them - Australia and the days Rin spent looking out at the waves and drawing lines in the sand as he remembered Haru. Then there wasn't. And he was back in Iwatobi and things were different and Rin himself was different. And things happened - races and the relay until Rin could admit some of his anger and competitiveness towards Haru were those latent feelings he attempted to hide and bury deep inside.

The problem with being in love with Haru was he was a singular guy - unique in many ways and Rin knew that attempting anything romantic would perhaps be misconstrued or ignored or not understood. As Haru had few interests that weren't water or mackerel related and Rin didn't know how to propose dating in a way that Haru would agree to or understand.

But Haru surprised him, as often he could and did, and had kissed Rin - a press of lips that was forceful and insistent - and that had been that. In Haru's mind - clear and precise and uncomplicated - they were now probably a couple. But Rin wasn't sure.

The kiss had been well, nice, but without flair nor passion and it had been a perfunctory thing - as though after the wet hug after laps in the Samezuka pool, Haru felt he should. That Rin's offer of the Samezuka pool for Haru - just for Haru - had to be rewarded and maybe he wasn't as unaware as Rin thought. Or maybe someone else had pointed out Rin's crush. Probably Makoto.

The kiss, to Haru, may mean they were dating but Rin wanted more. Not just sex though as a healthy teenage boy with a high libido, it would be nice, but to "date." He knew it was old fashioned and probably completely odd considering they were both male but Rin selfishly wanted more of Haru and more of him away from distractions and the others. So dates it was.

But what to do?

Rin wracked his brain, even dared ask Sousuke which resulted in something being thrown at his head and mocking jeers, and then he sent a simple text message.

/ Meet me?/

The answer was yes and arrangements were made and Rin was now sat at the small cafe near the harbour, drinking coffee, and staring at a cake he'd purchased for his companion. He needed a strategy and despite being captain of the swim team, he needed someone to discuss this with and consider his options. He usually asked Sousuke for that kind of thing but he was no help with his mocking so he sought out someone he knew just as well. That person walked in, his eyes seeking him out and joining Rin, removing coat and scarf and gloves.

"Makoto," Rin greeted as he sat opposite him, Makoto's green eyes seeing cake and tea ready for him.

"What is this for, Rin?"

Rin could clearly see Makoto was suspicious and he probably had a right to be - it wasn't that Rin and Makoto weren't friends - just that they rarely socialised just them and so to be invited and then plied with cake was more than a little suspect.

"It's Haru... I need advice."

Makoto didn't look as surprised then, taking a sip of his tea and nibbling at the sweet lemon cake, and he nodded. "He said you're dating."

Exasperated, Rin pushed his hair back from his face and held his head in his hand. "We are not dating! He kissed me! Once!"

"Oh," Makoto said, a frown on his face. "I think Haru assumed..."

"Yeah, yeah I know," Rin replied with a wave of hand cutting off Makoto.

"So you don't want to be dating him?"

"No! I do... I just want to date him. Actually, you know, date him."

Makoto took another bite of cake and sip of tea. "Then why am I here?"

Rin sighed. "You know Haru better than anyone... You know how he is. I want some advice on what would be a good date."

"Huh? How should I know? I haven't dated him!"

Rolling his eyes, Rin tried to stop the irrational urge to shake Makoto until he said something useful. "I know. I just want some help. Please."

The "please" sounded a little much but Makoto was a pushover and Rin had already won him over with homemade lemon cake and tea.

"Well... He likes swimming-"

"I know that, Makoto! Tell me something useful!" Rin growled, interrupting.

"Um... Swimsuit shopping? A restaurant that serves good mackerel? An aquarium?"

Rin had hoped for something more insightful - something that he didn't already know but then he figured Haru was a quiet guy - a private guy and even his best friend only knew a small portion that went on under the surface.

"Oh! He enjoys video games and bowling... We took the twins once."

Thinking on that, Rin worried at the inside of his cheek with his teeth. Bowling seemed a good idea - and it was located near the large multi-story arcade. It was in the city but the train journey was not too long. Rin mulled it over and then gave Makoto a smile with a flash of shark teeth.

"Thanks...you've given me an idea. More cake?"

Makoto declined but bought some small treats for the twins before he left, leaving Rin with cold coffee, crumbs and a plan for his first date with Haru.